Organizations managing large-scale infrastructure often rely on two key systems: Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) and Geospatial Network Inventory (GNI). While these systems serve different purposes, they complement each other to enhance overall asset management.
Companies that integrate EAM and GNI systems gain better control over their infrastructure, processes, and risks. Standalone systems simply don’t offer the full picture required for accurate decision-making and effective management. Here’s why:
No EAM or GNI provider offers a fully integrated solution. While some providers have advanced interfaces, EAM and GNI remain distinct systems.
Integrated EAM-GNI solutions often emphasize technical integration over business outcomes, company goals, or the complexities of specific processes.
In this article, we’ll explore the unique roles of both systems, how they differ, and how integrating them can drive tangible benefits for your business.
Definition and Role of EAM and GNI Systems in Network Companies
EAM (Enterprise Asset Management) Systems
Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) systems are comprehensive tools designed to help network companies monitor, maintain, and optimize the lifecycle of their physical assets, including infrastructure, machinery, and buildings. These systems not only manage physical devices but also handle documentation, maintenance planning, repair schedules, and cost analysis.
For companies managing extensive physical resources, EAM systems are essential for maximizing efficiency, minimizing downtime, and reducing operational costs. Key functions of EAM systems include:
- Resource Lifecycle Management: Overseeing every phase of an asset’s life—from procurement and installation to utilization, maintenance, and eventual decommissioning.
- Maintenance Planning: Scheduling preventive maintenance to minimize unexpected outages and reduce downtime.
- Cost Tracking: Collecting and analyzing costs associated with asset use and maintenance to optimize spending.
- Document Management: Storing and organizing asset documentation such as manuals, warranties, and maintenance records.
- Human Resource Management: Coordinating maintenance teams, assigning tasks, and managing workloads.
- Resource Efficiency Analysis: Monitoring asset performance to enhance operational efficiency and extend the lifecycle of key resources.
For example, in the energy sector, EAM systems manage critical infrastructure like energy transmission lines, wind turbines, and transformers. By monitoring asset conditions, planning maintenance, and issuing alerts for repairs, these systems help maximize asset availability while minimizing downtime.
GNI (Geospatial Network Inventory) Systems
Geospatial Network Inventory (GNI) systems are specialized tools for collecting, analyzing, and visualizing geographic data. They enable companies to better understand the spatial relationships of their assets. By merging geographic data with asset information, GNI systems present a visual map of assets and their dependencies, ensuring topological accuracy and supporting infrastructure management.
GNI systems are vital for industries that rely on spatial management, such as urban planning, telecommunications, and energy. They can process data from a variety of sources, including satellite imagery, GPS, and manually collected information. Key functions of GNI systems include:
- Spatial Data Management: Collecting and visualizing asset locations on maps. When integrated with EAM, GNI provides insights into asset status and location.
- Spatial Analysis: Enabling advanced spatial analyses, such as determining asset reach, access routes, and emergency response zones.
- Map Creation and Updates: Generating and regularly updating maps with information on new assets, infrastructure changes, and outage reports.
- Spatial Modeling: Simulating various asset management scenarios, such as the impact of a water network outage based on spatial factors.
- Field Asset Tracking: Leveraging mobile technologies to monitor assets in real-time, which is especially useful for managing dispersed infrastructure.
For instance, in urban water management, GNI systems visualize the locations of water pipes, pump stations, and access points. In the event of an outage, GNI quickly identifies the affected area, allowing for spatial analysis to determine the full impact on the network.
Roles of EAM and GNI
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Integrating EAM and GNI: Streamlining Data and Processes
Data flow between EAM and GNI
The integration of Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) with Geospatial Network Inventory (GNI) systems is key to optimizing both asset management and operations. It enables companies to synchronize and share data across different systems, allowing them to fully leverage their potential based on a unified dataset.
By linking operational asset data with spatial locations, EAM and GNI integration significantly enhances the effectiveness of asset management.
For example, an energy company can monitor the status of specific devices while visualizing their locations on a map, taking into account the impact of nearby infrastructure or environmental factors. This integration simplifies tasks like maintenance, repairs, and modernization planning.
Ultimately, it leads to better business decisions, greater operational efficiency, and improved resource management.
For successful integration, two areas need to align: data integration and process integration. Process integration complements data integration by outlining how information flows between systems.
Data Integration
With data integration, information is entered into the system just once and then automatically shared with all connected systems. Objects, such as technical infrastructure in GIS or functional locations in SAP, are created once and instantly appear across other systems. This reduces the risk of data inconsistencies and lowers the workload of maintaining data.
A crucial benefit of data integration is real-time updates. Changes made in one system are immediately reflected across the integrated systems, ensuring access to the latest information at all times.
Process Integration
Process integration organizes the flow of data and actions between systems, digitizing previously manual or paper-based business processes.
Digitized processes operate more efficiently, and participants are automatically notified of any pending tasks. Process integration also enables more detailed monitoring of operations, helping to spot bottlenecks and optimize workflows.
In practice, process integration can include:
- Handling outages: For example, GNI can trigger a repair order in EAM for a damaged infrastructure element.
- Managing investments: Infrastructure designs created in GNI can be sent to EAM to initiate further investment processes.
- Performing inspections: GNI can initiate asset inspection orders in EAM, streamlining routine network inspections.
Business Benefits of Integrating Enterprise Asset Management and Geospatial Network Inventory Systems
For industries like telecommunications and energy, managing large, geographically dispersed infrastructure presents both technical and business challenges. Errors or delays in asset management can lead to significant financial losses, service downtime, and even public safety risks. Integrating Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) and Geospatial Network Inventory (GNI) systems offers several key benefits:
Enhanced Efficiency and Cost Savings
- Improved Network Tracking and Data Access: Visualizing assets and their statuses on a map enhances strategic decision-making and provides a clearer overview of the infrastructure.
- Optimized Asset Lifecycle Management: By tracking assets in real-time—including their locations, technical conditions, and maintenance history—companies can better plan and manage maintenance activities. This reduces outages and extends the lifespan of assets.
- Field Crew Optimization: EAM and GNI integration helps manage technical crews more effectively, cutting operational costs such as transportation and labor. Technicians can be assigned to tasks based on their proximity to the site, reducing travel time and increasing response speed.
Improved Strategic Decision-Making
- Advanced Spatial and Operational Data Analysis: By combining EAM’s operational data with GNI’s spatial data, companies can perform more advanced analyses to guide strategic decisions, such as modernizing assets or planning new infrastructure expansions.
- Optimized Network Development Planning: In telecommunications, for example, integrating EAM and GNI can support 5G network rollouts by providing precise data on infrastructure conditions and locations, which are critical for successful implementation.
Better Risk Management & Faster Outage Response
Downtime in sectors like energy and telecommunications can lead to significant financial losses. Integrating EAM and GNI allows for better monitoring of critical infrastructure, helping to quickly identify risks, such as areas vulnerable to natural disasters or high-usage locations that may require extra attention.
- Precise Outage Detection: With EAM and GNI integration, energy and telecom companies can quickly locate outage sites on a map and dispatch the appropriate crew, minimizing downtime and customer disruption.
- Real-Time Asset Condition Monitoring: When combined with IoT sensors, the system can monitor asset conditions in real-time, allowing companies to identify and address potential issues before they lead to outages.
Enhanced Customer Service
Improving customer experience is another key goal of EAM and GNI integration. Faster identification of issues and their locations leads to quicker outage repairs, boosting customer satisfaction and reducing complaints. Additionally, automated updates on ongoing work can be sent to customers, increasing transparency and trust.
Enhanced Regulatory Compliance
In industries like energy, companies must adhere to stringent regulations regarding infrastructure management. EAM and GNI integration facilitates compliance through automated report generation, maintenance tracking, and mapping asset locations in relation to regulatory requirements.
Improved Cross-Department Communication
- Seamless Integration Between Operations and Field Teams: Combining EAM and GNI improves communication between office and field teams. Office staff can track the exact locations of technical crews in real-time and assign tasks more efficiently.
- Unified Data Access Across Departments: From planners and engineers to field technicians, all departments can access the same integrated data, improving collaboration, transparency, and overall effectiveness.
Summary
Integrating Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) and Geospatial Network Inventory (GNI) systems within network industries, such as energy and telecommunications, delivers significant business advantages. This integration enhances both operational asset management and strategic decisions regarding infrastructure development.
By improving operational effectiveness and customer service, minimizing costs, and ensuring regulatory compliance, companies can optimize their operations, enhance competitiveness, and reduce the risk of service downtime. With GNI systems, detailed asset information in EAM is enriched with spatial location data, unlocking new analytical and management opportunities.
Let’s Discuss Your Challenges
Are you interested in learning more about how to integrate EAM and GNI systems? Contact us today, and we’ll be happy to answer all your questions!
